Bung.



No. 628,|95. Patented' luly 4, 1899. C. E. CLAYTON, 1n. BUNG.

(Application led Apr. I7-, 1897.)

(1Mo Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet l.

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2527 (11211 Wdvoler/arn Mz 3W/M www No. 62a`,|95. Patented my 4, |899.

c. E. CLAYTON, JR.

B U N G (Application led Apr, 17, 1897.)

(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2` 31A/mmm C/mrzzcagZ-@m 237 07%? Wdh-Zw UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

oHAELEs E. CLAYTON, JR., or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

BUNG.

SPECIFICATIGN forming part of Letters Patent No. 628,195, dated July 4, 1899. Application filed April 17, 1897. Serial No. 632,671. (No modelli.

To all 'wl/1,0m it 'ln/ty concerns Be it known that I, CHARLES E. CLAYTON, Jr., of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bungs; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the' art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to bungs, and has for its object to provide an article of this character which can be readily and quickly applied to kegs or barrels having different thicknesses of staves, provision being made whereby the bung may be securely clamped in place in the bung-hole and eiectuallysustained without danger of accidental displacement, also securing at the same time a perfectly air-tight joint. A

A further object of the invention is to so construct the bung that a portion thereof may be removed, so as to leave a large central longitudinal bore extending through the bung, thus providing for siphoning oif the contents of the keg or barrel, for which purpose clamping-jaws, hereinafter described, are made of peculiar form and actuated by means which will not interfere with providing the central bore referred to.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in connection with the bung, a self-adjusting valve which will admit of the introduction of carbonio-acid gas into the keg or barrel; and the invention also contemplates the use, in connection with the bung, of an attachment Wherebythe valve maybe' held un- ,seated for giving the necessary vent for enabling the contents of the keg or barrel to be drawn oft'.

With these and other objects in View the invention consists in certain novel features and details of construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and incorporated in the claims hereto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the improved bung. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View through the bung, showing the same in position in the Cask. Fig. 3 is a similar section showing the screw-plug, valve-casing, and valve removed and the. parts in position to leave an open central longitudinal bore. Fig. 4 is also a similar section showing the attachment applied to the bung'for holding the valve unseated. Fig. 5 is a cross-section through the inner end of the bung, showing the oppositely-moving jaws thrown outward for engaging the cask, Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the inner sleeve. similar View of one of the clamping-jaws. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the vent attachment. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of one of the segmental bearing plates or guides. Fig. l0 is a detail perspective View of the Spanner or wrench used in connection with the bung.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in the several igures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, l designates the main body of the bung, which is cylindrical in form and of a size adapting it to fit snugly in the ordinary bushing 2 found in casks'or barrels. The bung l is of greater length than the depth of the bung 2, so that it may extend to a point inside of the plane of the inner surface of the staves of the cask, where it is provided at diametrically opposite points with rectangular openings 3, in which a pair of clamping-jaws 4 are mounted slidingly and through which they are'adapted to move into engagement with the body of the Cask.

At its outer end the bung lis provided with a circumferential flange or head 5, and adjacent thereto said bung is pro vided with an annular groove or seat t, in which is placed an annular packing-ring 7 of rubber or other flexible material, said ring'eutirely filling the groove and extending close to the head 5. In-

termediate the side walls of the groove 6 is' an offset or shoulder S, and while the rear edge of the packing-ring 7 is solid in cross-section, adapting it to fit into the deeper portion of the groove, the outer edge of said ring is split in a circular path, so as to divide the outer edge of the ring into two parts, thus leaving the outer part free and allowing said outer part to bulge outward, so as to afford a close and yielding contact 'with the bushing 2 for effecting a close air-tight joint,

Within the hollow bung lis an Internal annular shoulder S', forming a seat for a circum- Fig. 7 1s a' -IOO ferential iiange or head 9 on an inner sleeve l0, extending centrally through the bung and snugly fitting the bore thereof. Between the head 9 and shoulder S is interposed a packing-washer 11 of paper, rubber, or other suitable material forelectinga tightjoint. The sleeve extends outward through the bung to a point where its outer edge is practically flush with the outer surface ofthe bung, and said inner sleeve is provided, adjacent to its outer end, with an annular groove 12, extending around its under surface and leaving an annular bead or ilange 13 at the extremity of the inner sleeve 10. This iiange or bead is notched at diametrically opposite points, as indicated at 14, to admit of the application of a wrench or spanner for a purpose hereinafter set forth.

Each of the jaws 4 is provided at its outer edge with stepped engaging portions 15, having intervening transverse shoulders 16, adapted to abut against the inner edge of the stave in which the bushing 2 is fitted for preventing the extraction of the bung when inserted and clamped in place. By having several stepped engaging portions and shoulders the bung is adaptable to casks or barrels having different thicknesses of bodies or staves. Each of the jaws 4 is further provided in one side with an obliquegroove 17, in which works an eccentric-pin 18, attached to and carried b y the head 9 of the inner sleeve lO. Communicating with the groove 17 is a round opening 19, through which the pin 18 is adapted to be passed. The pin 18 is in the form of a screw, small enough to pass through the opening 19 and adapted to enter a threaded socket 21 in the head 9 of the sleeve l0.

It will of course be understoodthat two jaws 4 are employed, each formed alike, and that two pins or screws 18 are employed, the same being engaged with the head 9 at diametrically opposite points, so that when the inner sleeve and head are rotated the screws or pins 1S, by reason of their engagement with the jaws 4, will either move said jaws inward or outward, according to the direction in which said sleeve is turned.

Each of the jaws 4 is sufliciently short to enable it to be drawn entirely within the plane of the bung, so as to afford no projection beyond the outer surface thereof when the bung is inserted in the cask. The jaws are also provided with overlapping longitudinal extensions 23 on one side and longitudinal recesses 24 on the otherside for receiving the extensions 23, thus enabling the jaws to slide evenly and smoothly upon each other, the jaws thus mutually guiding each other. At the sides of the jaws 4 are arranged segmental bearing plates or guides 25, illing the spaces between said jaws and the inner walls of the bung, thus insuring the proper sliding of the jaws and preventing them from cramping in the openings in the bung when they are moved inward and outward. The bearing plates or guides 25 are held in place, pref- 'erably, by means of screws 26, which pass through the bung l and in threaded openings in said guides. The inner sleeve 10 is internally screw-threaded to receive an exteriorlythreaded valve-casing 27. This valve-casing is provided in one end with a diametrical slot 20, whereby itmay be removed with the aid of a screw-driver,and contains a valve 29,consisting of a stem 30 and a collar or ange 31, carrying a packing-ring or washer 32,v adapted to press in close contact against one end of the valve-casing. In the opposite end of the valve-casing is inserted a screw-plug 32, having a milled head 33 and an opening 34, within whichthe valve-stein is received, said opening being enlarged at one side to admit air. Arrangedbetween the screw-plug and the opposite end of the valve-casingisa coiled spring 34', which surrounds the valve-stem, saidV spring pressing against the 'collar or flange and surrounding the stem and serving to press the valve normally against its side, while yielding to permit the unseating of the valve. The valve casing occupies an approximately central position within the bore of the inner sleeve 10, and suiicient room is left outside of the valve-casing to admit an exteriorly-threaded plug 35, which also has a diametrical slot 36 to receive a screw-driver, so that said plug may be insert-ed and removed. When the plugis inserted, the center of the bung is closed, and the ingress and egress of air will be impossible. By removing the plug, however, a suitable pump may be, coupled to the inner sleeve, and carbonicacid gas or other fluid may be forced through the valve into the casing.

The inner sleeve is turned for adjusting the clamping-jaws by means of a wrench or Spanner 37, comprisinga handle 33, a disk 39, and laterally-projecting studs 40, arranged at diametrically opposite points on the disk and adapted to enter the notches in the outer end of the inner sleeve 10, said studs having at their extremities lateral projections 41,adapted to engage under the bead or ange at the outer edge of the inner sleeve 10, so as to permit the bung to be withdrawn when the wrench or Spanner is applied thereto.

43 designates a valve-holding attachment, which consists of a disk-shaped body 44, having at diametrically opposite points fingers 45, provided at their extremities and upon their inner adjacent sides with oblique shoulders or projections 47, adapted to pass through the notches in the outer end of the inner sleeve 10 and to engage under the flange thereof. Extending centrally through said device is a screw 4S, having a milled head 49 and adapted to bear at its inner end against the outer end of the valve-stem for holding the valve unseated, thus giving vent to the Cask for allowing the liquid contents thereof to be drawn off in a manner that will be readily understood.

The operation of the device is as follows: The bung having been inserted in the bush- IOC IIO

IZO

. communicating with said grooves, and a cening 2, the wrench or spanner is applied thereto in the manner above .described and the bung pushed irmly inward until it is closely seated in the bushing. The wrench is then turned in a direction which will effect an outward movement of the clamping-jaws, thus bringing the jaws into iirm frictional and positive contact with the inner Wooden surface of the cask, thereby preventing any liability of the bung becoming accidentally displaced. To remove the bung, the operation just above described is simply reversed. The bung is simple in construction, can be manufactured at a small cost, will it any Cask, and will be found effective and reliable in use.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new isl. A bung comprising a hollow body having a central longitudinal bore and apertures in its sides, in combination with oppositely-movable clamping-jaws arranged in the bung, a central hollow sleeve adapted to receive a draft-pipe or faucet rotatably mounted in the bung and engaging said jaws for simultaneously moving the latter in opposite directions; yand means for turning said sleeve, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a bung, of oppositely-movable jaws located therein and provided with overlapping portions, whereby the jawsare-adapted to guide each other, and operating means for said jaws, substantially as described.

The combination with a bung having a central through-opening, of oppositely-movable jaws slidingly fitted therein and having overlapping portions at each side of said opening, bearing plates or guides located at the sides of the jaws, and means for operating said jaws, substantially as described.

4:. The combination with a bung having a central through-opening, of oppositely-movable jaws located therein and provided with oblique grooves, and a centrally-located hollow sleeve having provision for its rotation and provided with pins or studs working in the grooves of the jaws, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a hollow bung, of oppositely-movable jaws located therein and provided with oblique grooves and also with openings extending through the jawsand trally-located and revoluble sleeve carrying pins or studs working in said grooves and movable through the openings in the jaws,

substantially as described.

6. The combination with a hollow bung, of oppositely-movable jaws located therein, a centrally-located and revoluble lsleeve engaging said jaws for operating them, an annular iiange on said sleeve, an internal annulaishoulder within the bung, and a washer interposed between said shoulder and flange,

substantially as described.

7. The combination with a hollow bung, of oppositely-movable clamping-jaws located therein, a centrally-located revoluble sleeve adapted to receive a draft-pipe or faucet for operating said jaws, and abead or iange at one end of said sleeve having oppositely-located notches for a Spanner, substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. A bung having a suitable opening eX- tending therethrough, and a self-closing removable valve located entirely within said opening, substantially as described.

9. A bung having a central longitudinal opening, in combination with a valve-casing removably iitted wholly therein, and a valve, substantially as described.

10. Thek combination with a bung-having a central longitudinal opening, of a valvecasing removably fitted wholly therein, and a screw-plug also removably fitted wholly within the bung, substantially as described.

1l. The combination with a bung, of oppositely-movableclamping-jaws, a centrally-located revoluble sleeve adapted to receive a draft-pipe or faucet for operating said jaws, provided at one end with a bead or flange having oppositelylocated notches, and a wrench or Spanner having a disk-shaped head provided at its periphery with studs adapted to enter said notches and provided at their extremities with shoulders to engage behind the bead or flange of said sleeve, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES E. CLAYTON, JR.v

lVitnesses:

EDWD. B. FOX, E. H. BOND.

IOO 

